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Figurative Language Worksheets
Common Core State Standards demand that students identify figurative language techniques. This means that your standardized test is likely to question figurative language knowledge. Students can prepare for this through repeated exposure to figurative language. You can do this by studying figurative language poems, activities, or the worksheets on this page.
These worksheets will give students rapid fire practice with figurative language techniques. Not only must students identify the techniques, they must explain their answers. This approach forces students to consider their answers. It also helps teachers identify misunderstandings.
Figurative Language Worksheet 1
Here is a ten-problem figurative language worksheet. It will give students rapid-fire practice with identifying figurative language techniques. Students read the examples, identify the technique, and then explain their answer.
Figurative Language Worksheet 2
Here is another ten-problem worksheet to give students practice identifying figurative language techniques. Students will read the poetic snippets, identify the figurative techniques, and explain their answers.
Figurative Language Worksheet 3
This worksheet packs a double dose of figurative language practice: four sides and 27 problems! Students determine whether each snippet contains an example of simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, or idiom. Students are also required to explain their responses.
Figurative Language Worksheet 4
This worksheet has ten more practice problems from classic poems to help students master figurative language. Students will read the examples, identify the figuartive techniques, and then explain how they got their answers.
Figurative Language Worksheet 5
Here is another worksheet with 10 more practice problems to help students master figurative language. Students will read the examples, determine the figurative language technique, and then explain their answers.
Figurative Language Worksheet 6
Do you need more practice with figurative language? This 23 problem worksheet with four pages should keep students busy for a little while. Students will identify the figurative language technique used in each of the 23 examples and then explain how they got their answers.
Figurative Language Worksheet 7
What's better than figurative language practice? More figurative language practice! Here is another double-sided figurative language worksheet with ten problems. The language used in this worksheet is easier to understand.
Figurative Language Worksheet 8
Here is yet another four-page figurative language worksheet. It has 22 figurative langauge techniques used in a variety of contexts. Students read each example, identify the technique that is being used, and then explain how they got their answers.
Figurative Language Worksheet 9
Are you still looking for practice with figurative language? This two-page, double-sided worksheet has 22 more figurative language problems. Students read the poetry snippets, identify the figurative language techniques, and then explain their answers.
"Lord of the Flies" Figurative Language Worksheet
Here's a four page, 26 question worksheet featuring examples of figurative language taken from one of my favorite books, "Lord of the Flies." Students determine what figure of speech is used and explain their answers.
Figurative Language of Edgar Allan Poe Worksheet
Here's a figurative language worksheet featuring lines from stories and poems of Edgar Allen Poe. Students write which technique is being used on the line and then explain how they figured out the answer. This is a great activity to use alongside one of Poe's stories.
Figurative Language of O. Henry
This worksheet features twenty-three selected examples of figurative language from O. Henry, one of the master writers of the short story. This four-page worksheet will give students plenty of practice with working with figurative language and poetic devices.
Figurative Language of Shakespeare
Shakespeare is not only a master of the theater, he is also a master of figurative language. His language is also a bit more difficult for most students to decode, so this is not a recommended activity for novices. Here are 23 figurative language examples used in Shakespeare's tragedies, comedies, history plays, and sonnets.
Figurative Language and Poetic Devices Review Games
Orpheus The Lyrical: Figurative Language Video Game
Here is a high-interest figurative language video game that I wrote. Students play as the mythical Orpheus in his quest to retrieve his beloved Eurydice from Hades. They will answer literally hundreds of figurative language questions along the way. This is a fun and exciting way to review figurative language techniques and students really get into it.
Poetry Cat: Poetic Devices Video Game
This is a fun and free browser game to help you review poetic devices. Students play as a cat and try to collect balls of yarn. When they get hit by an enemy, they have to answer a question to proceed. This game is fun, engaging, and has hundreds of questions on poetic devices. Very educational!
Figurative language can add magic to your writing.
Figurative Language
Common Core State Standards
Figurative Language Anchor Standards
R.4 - Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.RL.2.4 - Describe how words and phrases (e.g., regular beats, alliteration, rhymes, repeated lines) supply rhythm and meaning in a story, poem, or song.
RL.3.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, distinguishing literal from nonliteral language.
RL.4.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including those that allude to significant characters found in mythology (e.g., Herculean).
RL.5.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative language such as metaphors and similes.
RL.6.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone.
RL.7.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of rhymes and other repetitions of sounds (e.g., alliteration) on a specific verse or stanza of a poem or section of a story or drama.
RL.8.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.
RL.9-10.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone (e.g., how the language evokes a sense of time and place; how it sets a formal or informal tone).
RL.11-12.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including words with multiple meanings or language that is particularly fresh, engaging, or beautiful. (Include Shakespeare as well as other authors.)
Click to VIEW Grade Level Standards for R.4
L.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.3.5a - Distinguish the literal and nonliteral meanings of words and phrases in context (e.g., take steps).
L.4.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.4.5a - Explain the meaning of simple similes and metaphors (e.g., as pretty as a picture) in context.
L.5.5a - Interpret figurative language, including similes and metaphors, in context.
L.6.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.6.5a - Interpret figures of speech (e.g., personification) in context.
L.7.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.7.5a - Interpret figures of speech (e.g., literary, biblical, and mythological allusions) in context.
L.8.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.8.5a - Interpret figures of speech (e.g. verbal irony, puns) in context.
L.9-10.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.11-12.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.11-12.5a - Interpret figures of speech (e.g., hyperbole, paradox) in context and analyze their role in the text.
L.3.5a - Distinguish the literal and nonliteral meanings of words and phrases in context (e.g., take steps).
L.4.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.4.5a - Explain the meaning of simple similes and metaphors (e.g., as pretty as a picture) in context.
L.5.5a - Interpret figurative language, including similes and metaphors, in context.
L.6.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.6.5a - Interpret figures of speech (e.g., personification) in context.
L.7.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.7.5a - Interpret figures of speech (e.g., literary, biblical, and mythological allusions) in context.
L.8.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.8.5a - Interpret figures of speech (e.g. verbal irony, puns) in context.
L.9-10.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.11-12.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.11-12.5a - Interpret figures of speech (e.g., hyperbole, paradox) in context and analyze their role in the text.
Click to VIEW Grade Level Standards for L.5
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Some Other Useful Pages
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sophia
/ September 11, 2015Thank you this is great
Amanda Wilcox
/ March 25, 2015Thanks so much for all the great resources. Where did the figurative language power point go? I used it yesterday but now cannot find. Thank you again.
Mr. Morton
/ March 27, 2015Figurative language activities are on this page: http://www.ereadingworksheets.com/figurative-language/figurative-language-activities/
valki
/ February 10, 2015Thanks so much for your invaluable contribution!!
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/ November 21, 2014great worksheets but i say they are not the grade level i need them to be.
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/ October 15, 2014Can i have a worksheet on alliteration and onoaemaetopia please
Mr. Morton
/ March 27, 2017http://www.ereadingworksheets.com/figurative-language/poetic-devices/onomatopoeia-worksheets-and-activities/
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/ February 13, 2014This is the best website for a middle school English teacher. Thank you once again.
Karen
/ January 29, 2014Thank you for connecting these elements to REAL poetry instead of silly, low-level rhymes. Trying to find these resources requires time- thank you for providing them on your site!
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/ March 3, 2013Awesome collection of worksheets! its really helpful for young students!
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/ May 8, 2012This is wonderful! Thanks so much! What a live saver! A little hyperbole for you –
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/ May 7, 2012This is great! I have spent so much time creating worksheets for figurative language! Currently I am looking for figurative language in fables/folktales. Any suggestions?
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/ April 30, 2012This is a free resource Sue! You should probably create your own so you won’t have to explain anything to 5th graders! Thank you Mr. Morton for all your hard work!
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/ April 30, 2012these are absolutely wonderful! I’ve had so much trouble finding appropriate figurative language worksheets, so thank you for sharing these!
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